Archive for the ‘Press Releases’ Category

February 9, 2017: HBL brings yet another exciting season of Pakistan’s biggest cricket event, HBL Pakistan Super League (HBLPSL). The league kick-starts today in Dubai with a grand opening ceremony having performances by acclaimed Jamaican reggae singer Shaggy along with Pakistani pop artists Ali Zafar and Shehzad Roy. The ceremony will be followed by the first face-off match of the season between defending champions Islamabad United and Peshawar Zalmi.

As last year, the five teams participating in the league are Islamabad United, Karachi Kings, Lahore Qalandars, Peshawar Zalmi and Quetta Gladiators, with each team comprising of both Pakistani and international players. The series will be hosted by UAE with matches being played in Dubai and Sharjah. However, the highlight of HBLPSL 2.0 will be the final clash, which will be played in Gadaffi Stadium, Lahore on March 5.

Speaking on this occasion Pakistan Cricket Board Chief, Mr. Najam Sethi said, “I am delighted with the progress that we have made in a span of 12 months. We are ready to deliver the second edition of HBL Pakistan Super League and we are confident that the second season will be even bigger and better than the last season. We have some of the biggest T20 stars featuring in the tournament and we are all set to witness some enthralling cricket.”

He further added, “Pakistanis around the world can be proud of this tournament as we have succeeded in portraying the message that we are cricket lovers and absolutely passionate about the game. We hope to see crowds in big numbers in the two UAE venues Dubai and Sharjah. The final in Lahore should be the crowning glory for HBLPSL 2017. Come support Pakistan cricket and HBLPSL as it is a spectacle that you will remember forever.”

Also present at the occasion, Chief Marketing Officer, HBL, Mr. Naveed Asghar said, “Today is a day of immense pride for HBL as we are geared up for the second season of HBL Pakistan Super League. With a 75-year long legacy of enablement, HBL is delighted to be the only leading financial institution of the country that has played a pivotal role in enabling the dreams of millions of cricket enthusiasts by sponsoring Pakistan’s first international cricket league.

HBLPSL has been a stepping stone in uplifting the country’s cricket scenario by providing a platform that is nurturing our local talent as they become the cricketing icons of tomorrow. I can assure that the second edition of HBL Pakistan Super League will be remembered for many more historic moments, while bringing the nation together through the spirit of this great sport. Let’s keep our fingers crossed for an exciting spell of cricket ahead.”

HBL is the largest bank in Pakistan with over 1,700 branches, 2000 ATMs, and a customer base exceeding nine million. It has presence in over 25 countries across four continents.

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Karachi / LAS VEGAS, February 03, 2017 ― At CES 2017 in Las Vegas, LG Electronics (LG) showcased a groundbreaking new lineup of intelligent robots, as part of the company’s innovations in artificial intelligence and developments in the IoT ecosystem. The lineup includes a home robot that doubles as a smart home gateway and intelligent home notification center, enhancing convenience in users’ day-to-day lives. LG is also taking the power of IoT and smart technology outside of the home with advanced robots designed for use in airports and other public spaces.

Hub Robot: Creating a Smarter Home
LG’s eye-catching Hub Robot takes the concept of the smart home to the next level. By connecting to other smart appliances in the home, the Hub Robot uses Amazon Alexa’s voice recognition technology to complete household tasks such as turning on the air conditioner or changing a dryer cycle with simple verbal commands. The Hub Robot is equipped with an interactive display that can showcase a wide variety of information such as images of contents inside of the refrigerator and recipes, complete with step-by-step audio instructions. Additionally, the Hub Robot offers everyday consumer conveniences such as the ability to play music, set alarms, create reminder memos and provide weather and traffic updates.

With its friendly, anthropomorphic design, LG’s Hub Robot can interact with the entire family in a variety of different ways. It can move and swivel in place, as well as express a wide range of emotions by displaying a face on its display. The Hub Robot is designed to respond to consumers using body language, such as nodding its head when answering simple questions, and is always aware of activities inside the home, such as when family members leave, come home and go to bed. And because the Hub Robot is able to distinguish different family members’ faces with its camera, it can be programmed with a different greeting for each family member.

The Hub Robot works best when placed in common areas of the house where family members tend to gather, such as the kitchen or the living room. To complement the Hub Robot, LG will also introduce mini robots that can be placed in other rooms in the house. Also equipped with a sleek visual display, these mini robots are extensions of the Hub Robot and can perform many of the same functions.

Airport Guide Robot: A Traveler’s Best Friend
LG’s expansion of its intelligent services ecosystem reaches far beyond just the home. The Airport Guide Robot – soon to be seen in Seoul’s Incheon International Airport – is an intelligent information assistant for travelers, answering questions in four languages: English, Chinese, Japanese and Korean. With a simple scan of a passenger’s ticket, the robot can provide detailed information about a flight’s boarding time and gate location, and even the weather of a traveler’s destination city. The airport robot offers directions to destinations inside the airport, along with estimated distances and walking times, and can even escort lost or late travelers to their gates, or any other airport location.

Airport Cleaning Robot: Offering an Industrial-Size Clean
As one of the industry’s early innovators of robotic vacuum cleaners, LG’s lineup would not be complete without an industrial-sized robot vacuum. LG’s Airport Cleaning Robot is a super-sized robot vacuum equipped with a large-capacity dust canister as well as multiple brushes and motors. Capable of cleaning everything from tiles to carpet floors, this robot is equipped with the latest in smart sensors and multiple cameras to ensure a safe, effective and powerful performance in even the most crowded airports. Multiple sensors using light detection and ranging (LIDAR) as well as sensitive bumpers which detect obstacles are employed throughout. Thanks to the use of simultaneous localization and mapping (SLAM) technology, the robot is always aware of its location.

Lawn Mowing Robot: For an Impeccably-Cut Yard
LG’s Lawn Mowing Robot rounds out the company’s lineup of advanced robots at CES 2017. Ideal for many types of yards, this robot benefits from years of development of the HOM-BOT vacuum cleaner to trim grass accurately, reliably and most of all, safely. Equipped with many of the advanced sensors and bumpers found in the airport robot, the Lawn Mowing Robot recognizes its own location at every moment, as well as the location of every obstacle in sight, such as trees or hedges. Designed to maximize cutting performance, this robot employs a fast-moving blade that leaves lawns looking impeccable. In addition to its features, the side wire simplifies the ordinarily-complicated installation process without the need to calculate offsets, making it easily accessible and user-friendly.

“LG has been involved in smart technology and robotics for many years with the HOM-BOT robot vacuum cleaner being our most visible consumer effort,” said Song Dae-hyun, president of LG Electronics and Home Appliance & Air Solutions Company. “Here at CES, we’re demonstrating how we’re taking the knowledge gleaned from years of research and applying that to various situations inside and outside the home.”

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HBL today declared a consolidated profit after tax of Rs 34.2 billion for the full year 2016, with earnings per share of Rs 23.23. Along with the results, the Bank declared a final dividend of Rs 3.50 per share (35%), bringing the total dividend for the year to Rs 14 per share.

HBL’s balance sheet has grown by 13% over December 2015 to reach Rs 2.5 trillion. Overall, the Bank added Rs 250 billion in deposits, while maintaining its CASA ratio. Current accounts increased by more than 16%, reaching nearly Rs 700 billion with the current account mix improving to 37% of total deposits. In 2016, HBL grew its average domestic current accounts by 19% over 2015, enabling the Bank to reduce its cost of deposits. With the improved economic climate, lending growth has accelerated with loans growing by over 17%, driven by increases in Corporate lending, but with strong support from the SME and Consumer segments. The Bank was thus able to grow net interest income by 5% to Rs 82.0 billion for 2016.

Fees and Commissions rose by 8% to Rs 18.7 billion with new records being set in Bancassurance, investment banking and consumer finance. Trade, remittances and general banking related fees continued to make significant contributions to fee income. HBL’s prudent lending and active recovery efforts have resulted in a decade low provision charge of less than Rs 1 billion, an 81% reduction over 2015. Simultaneously, the Bank was able to improve its asset quality as the infection ratio fell to single digits, its lowest level in the last 8 years. HBL’s reach now includes 2,000 ATMs and nearly 15,000 POS machines to provide access and convenience to its customers across Pakistan.

The consolidated Capital Adequacy Ratio (CAR) at the end of 2016 was 15.5%, with the Tier 1 CAR at 12.0%, both well above regulatory requirements. The Bank’s local credit ratings remain in the highest possible AAA/A-1+ categories for long term and short term respectively, while international rating agencies have also reaffirmed HBL’s rating. These are reflective of the Bank’s healthy capitalization ratios, sound liquidity profile and its systemic importance. During the year, HBL continued to receive accolades including Bank of the Year in Pakistan, by The Banker, UK, the Best Domestic Bank in Pakistan by Asiamoney and the Safest Bank in Pakistan, by Global Finance.

HBL has continued to deliver strong results and is well positioned to leverage the upcoming economic opportunities. Over the last 75 years, HBL has served Pakistan and its people with pride and passion as the country’s leading commercial bank. The Bank will strive to play its role in the nation’s development and to provide increasing levels of service and innovative products to its valued customers in the years ahead.

LG’s stand (Booth 12-K70) at ISE 2017 will feature a Flexible Open Frame OLED signage display that will highlight OLED’s inherent advantages. OLED technology allows screens to emit light without the need of backlighting for superb images with the deepest possible blacks and lifelike colors, while providing wider viewing angles than conventional backlit displays. And because OLED displays are thin and flexible, LG’s next generation Flexible Open Frame OLED signage allows customers to change the curvature of their installations in either landscape or portrait modes. The curvature of the screen can be changed even after installation, allowing for both convex and concave displays.

Other OLED solutions include LG’s 65-inch Dual-View Curved Tiling OLED signage to demonstrate OLED’s slim design and versatility. The display consists of eight connected double-sided, flexible OLED panels for superior image rendering viewed from any angle. Each panel offers 4K Ultra HD image quality with 3,840 x 2,160 individual pixels while system on a chip (SoC) and 128GB of internal memory work together to deliver perfect UHD playback without the need for a separate PC or media player.

Designed with dual-sided ultra-slim OLED panels in a glass pane, LG’s In-Glass Wallpaper OLED signage is perfect for boutiques, art galleries and other businesses that want to add a sophisticated touch to their interior decor. Available in both standing and hanging versions, the In-Glass Wallpaper OLED solution allows businesses the freedom to utilize signage in their space as effectively as possible.

At ISE 2017, LG will also introduce its 65 and 55-inch OLED Video Wall solution in both portrait and landscape formats to meet customers’ specific signage needs. On display at ISE will be LG’s 1 x 4 OLED Video Wall unit which can be connected with other units to create signs of various configurations.

Visitors to LG’s ISE booth will be met by an immersive video wall comprised of twelve 55-inch LCD display panels. With industry-leading thin bezels, the video wall units can be linked together to form even larger commercial displays. LG will also unveil its split-screen capable 86-inch Ultra Stretch digital solution, ultra-wide 58:9 signage with minimal bezels capable of displaying up to four simultaneous images. The 86-inch Ultra Stretch solution utilizes LG SuperSign media editor software for fast and convenient customization of images and video content.

LG’s largest 88-inch Ultra Stretch digital signage handles 32:9 aspect ratio images and are split-screen capable to provide an even more immersive experience. Equivalent to two 49-inch panels connected side-by-side, this display can render fine details and is the perfect signage solution for kiosk displays, financial institutions and dining establishments, among others.

Other LG industry-leading LED digital signage technologies will also be featured at ISE 2017. The company’s large 173-inch Ultra HD LED digital signage with 1mm diodes uniformly arranged to provide consistent backlighting. Another unique technology making its debut at the show incorporates LED diodes in a transparent film which can be installed over windows to expand installation options. The film will be incorporated into new digital signage solutions set to roll out in early 2017.

“Our Flexible Open Frame OLED and the Ultra Stretch LCD digital signage products demonstrate the kind of innovative solutions that today’s B2B customers demand,” said Kwon Soon-hwang, head of the Information Display division at the LG Home Entertainment Company. “We will continue to raise the bar in developing new display technologies for European and global customers who rely on the best tools in the industry to help them succeed.”

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Karachi / SEOUL, February 22, 2017 – SEOUL, Feb. 16, 2017 ― LG Electronics (LG) will feature its new mobile UX 6.0 in its upcoming G6 smartphone specifically customized to maximize the advantages of the device’s expansive FullVision display. LG G6 will feature a 5.7-inch QHD+ FullVision display (2,880 x 1,440) with an 18:9 screen aspect ratio that almost entirely fills the front of the smartphone. The dimensions of the phone are ergonomically designed to ensure maximum comfort and compatibility with existing and upcoming digital content.

The phone’s new UX maximizes the benefits of the FullVision display, providing the user with the ultimate convenience and advances, such as:

Differentiated experience for viewing content such as video clips and web surfing

Smartly designed GUI (Graphical User Interface) that enables the opening of two perfectly square windows side by side, delivering a more productive, better multitasking experience

A Differentiated Experience

The FullVision display in the LG G6 provides users with a new viewing experience. The large screen features an expanded top and bottom that allows users to view more information when surfing the web, or while reading e-books and provides a more immersive experience when users view videos or play games.

The LG G6 is expected to kick off an era of premium smartphones with 18:9 screen aspect ratios, which is why such a wide variety of films, apps and games tailored to the 18:9 aspect ratio is sharply rising. The smartphone includes a feature that allows users to view existing 16:9 ratio content easily in 18:9 format.

Enhanced Camera UX

The camera UX has been considerably enhanced thanks to the expansive 18:9 screen aspect ratio display in a way that increases the convenience and the fun. The expansive screen enables users to take and review photos simultaneously. LG UX 6.0 provides a Square Camera feature which divides the 18:9 display into two identical perfect squares. With this, users can shoot images in 1:1 format – a popular format on social media apps such as Instagram – and review them in the adjacent window. There is also new shooting mode called Food Mode that delivers high color quality and saturation ideal for, well, food. Users can create GIF files by combining anywhere from 2 and 100 pictures in a loop.

Advanced Multi-tasking

The LG G6 takes advantage of the expansive 18:9 display in many ways. Open a call reception window next to the calendar app or the photo gallery at the same time as the message app. Multiple square photographs can be connected together and viewed as a Collage Wallpaper on the lock screen. Type a memo on one side while surfing the web on the other. Inside the calendar app, turning the G6 horizontally will display the calendar in the left window while a detailed schedule will appear on the right. The combinations are endless.

“The LG G6 with FullVision was inspired by the philosophy of experts in the movie industry who believe that an 18:9 ratio screen would be the best solution for viewing both old and new cinematic content in the digital age,” said Juno Cho, president of the LG Electronics Mobile Communications Company. “We’ve not only embraced that philosophy in our newest smartphone but taken it to a whole new level by incorporating the 18:9 format in many other ways. I think users will appreciate the many ways we’ve made the LG G6 more productive.”

The LG G6 with UX 6.0 will be introduced to audiences worldwide at MWC 2017 in Barcelona, Spain on February 26. Click here for a video preview of the new LG UX 6.0.

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Possess a 10KVa of inverter capacity and will be facilitating up to 500 patients on a daily basis

Lahore, February 23, 2017 – LG Electronics and World Vision Pakistan recently equipped the Rural Health Center (RHC), Manga Mandi with LG Solar Panels with the aim of providing an uninterrupted power supply to 100% emergency services. It will also support major OPD functions keeping in view the routine load details of the hospital and the prevalent electricity load shedding woes.

Also speaking on occasion, Mr. Kevin Cha shed light on the global presence of the company saying, “LG Electronics, the global leader and technology innovator in electronics currently operates in about 120 countries around the world, and we are proud to say that we have actively participated in CSR activities in nearly all those countries; all in our effort to give back to the local community and Pakistan is on priority list.”

“There is nothing as gratifying than helping build your own community and society where you operate,” said Mr. Y. G. Choi, “LG Electronics has also provided products such as a vaccine refrigerator, air conditioner, TV, monitor, etc. to help patients receive more convenient treatment.

Syed Farrukh Raza Alam Head of B2B and CSR Project Head – LG Electronics Pakistan explained about the project, further expressing, “The LG Solar Powered Rural Health Center (RHC) is a testament to our high-end renewable energy resources and services we aim at facilitating our people with. Addressing the hindered electricity situation is the need of the hour, especially considering the fact that hospitals too are falling prey to the lack of supply thus leading to serious consequences.”

Speaking at the inauguration, Dr. Zulfiqar Ali, Chief Executive Officer, District Health Authority said, “I am pleased to see that companies are now shifting towards an alternate energy resource in order to tackle the supply and demand gap as far as electricity is concerned. It is immensely satisfying to know that up to 500 patients will be eased on a daily basis due to the support provided to the OPD functions among others. I hope to see more companies and people adapting to such an alternate source which without any doubt is environment friendly as well.”

A 10 KVA hybrid solar power solution has been installed at the hospital premises that will not only improve the efficiency and delivery of health services of RHC but will also cut down the consumption of WAPDA supplied electricity as a result of the dependency on solar panels during the day time. Similarly, the solar solution also has the capacity of providing a backup of up to 2 hours of electricity in case of a power failure at night. It will help combat challenging emergency situations during summer when the temperature soars to excruciating levels.

The hospital is based in District Lahore and faces peak temperature in summer that ranges up to 45 Degree Celsius plus. It had become highly challenging to serve local communities with critical medical care due to the shortage of electricity. Addressing this dire need, LG Korea and World Vision Pakistan have now transformed it with the hybrid solar power solution that addresses this concern.